FIRST MINISTER Eluned Morgan has pledged to deliver tangible results in schools, healthcare, and road repairs before the Senedd term concludes in spring 2026.

Speaking in the Senedd’s Siambr, the Welsh Labour leader emphasised her government’s focus on delivering outcomes that matter to the people of Wales.

Eluned Morgan told Members of the Senedd: “Our priority isn’t about making speeches in here – it’s about making a difference out there, in our hospitals, in our schools, in our communities.”

By the end of the Senedd term, the First Minister committed to:

• £400m more to support NHS service delivery and staff pay.
• £175m towards modernising NHS infrastructure.
• Repairing thousands of potholes and pavements.
• Increased investment in sports, culture, and heritage.
• £40m to support people with additional learning needs.
• £144m to sustain the flagship apprenticeship programme.
• Bringing buses under public control.
• Restoring school attendance to pre-pandemic levels.
• Providing targeted literacy and numeracy support for every school.
• Ensuring every secondary school has a plan for mental health and wellbeing.

After fourteen years of Conservative governments reducing Welsh budgets, the First Minister welcomed the partnership with the UK Labour Government, which last October delivered the largest funding settlement for Wales since devolution.

Eluned Morgan highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two Labour governments, saying it marks a turning point for Wales’ future.

While Plaid Cymru offers “empty promises” and Reform UK relies on “snappy slogans,” Eluned Morgan stated that Welsh Labour is focused on meaningful action.

She said: “Together, we’re building a Wales that works. Where our NHS delivers. Where our kids have more chances. Where our communities thrive. Where good jobs grow.

“This conversation doesn’t end here. It’s just getting started.

“And every day, my promise stays the same – I will deliver for Wales, and I will deliver for you.”

A BY ELECTION will be held to fill a vacancy in the Haverfordwest Prendergast ward.

A Notice of Election was published on 6th January. Anyone wishing to stand for election must submit their nomination papers to the Returning Officer between the 7th and 15th January, between 10am and 4pm.

For further information and to obtain nomination papers please email [email protected] or call the Elections Helpline number 01437 775844.

The Statement of Persons Nominated will be published following the close of nominations. If contested the by-election vote will take place on Tuesday, 11th February.

If you are interested in becoming a Councillor there is more information available on the Democratic Services page of the Council website.

Details on registering to vote are available on the Pembrokeshire County Council website. Anyone in the Prendergast ward who is not registered to vote will need to do so by 24th January to vote at this election.

Poll cards will be sent to electors before the election that will indicate which polling station to vote at.

Photographic ID will not be required to vote at this election.

PEMBROKESHIRE’S annual Long Course Weekend triathlon event could see cyclists riding a radically different route from its south county base, taking them as far north as eight miles from Cardigan, bypassing contentious areas Wisemans Bridge and Saundersfoot.

Billed as ‘Europe’s largest multi-sport festival’, the event features swim, bike and run over a variety of distances, with the elite athletes completing all three disciplines at maximum distance to earn the coveted Long Course Weekend medal.

The Tenby-based multi-day triathlon events have been held in the summer since 2010 in the county, but concerns have been raised about loss of trade and inconvenience due to road closures associated with it, particularly the cycling events, the current longest 112-mile route taking in parts of the south of the county including Wisemans Bridge, Saundersfoot, Tenby and Pembroke.

Back in December, Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council heard that some south county communities were “at breaking point” from road closures.

Local members Cllr Chris Williams and Cllr Alec Cormack had asked in a notice of motion, at that meeting, the council withdraw support for the annual Long Course Weekend.

That support takes the form of ‘in-kind’ support such as road closures and car parking rather than a direct financial input.

In a supporting statement, the two councillors said: “Our community is at breaking point; residents and businesses in Saundersfoot, Amroth, Wisemans Bridge and Coppet Hall are effectively cut-off for the majority of a Saturday each June/July by the Long Course Weekend two-lap bike race. Many other areas of South Pembs are similarly affected, some on both Saturday and Sunday if they are also on the run course too.”

Since their notice of motion was publicised, an alternative arrangement was mooted by the Long Course organisers for one circular route on the eve of the council meeting.

It was agreed at that meeting the joint notice be put on hold pending a special meeting to consider the late proposals ahead of any decision by Cabinet; the extraordinary meeting of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee now taking place on January 10.

A report for members asks them to consider the notice, along with responses from Long Course organisers Activity Wales, the proposed new route bypassing Saundersfoot, a bone of contention.

The proposed single loop would see cyclists on the 112-mile route leave Tenby for Pembroke, with a loop around Freshwater West before travelling to Neyland via Pembroke Dock, then on to Broad Haven, Newgale, Wolf’s Castle, Tufton, over the Preselis to Crosswell, Crymych, Llandissilio, Narberth, Templeton-Carew, before the final return to Tenby via Reberth.

The report highlights Activity Wales’ response: “After internal review and listening to some of the concerns we have proposed a new bike route.  We propose transitioning to an open-road format for the bike course in 2025 and introducing a new single-loop route.”

It says the open-road format “decreases the logistical challenges of full road closures, minimising disruption to non-event traffic,” and “also helps communities in areas where there are two days of closures,” and “by removing Wisemans Bridge and Saundersfoot from the route, we address concerns from residents and businesses in these areas, alleviating community tensions and logistical challenges”.

It also says the wider scope of the changes “highlights more of the county’s stunning landscapes, creating a unique experience for participants and boosting tourism appeal,” which it hopes will bring wider benefits to other parts of the county.